In vivo antioxidant efficacy and therapeutic potential of Artemisia brevifolia leaves extract against CCl4-induced reproductive damages in male albino rats

Abstract

The current study was aimed to investigate the alleviative effect of Artemisia brevifolia (A. brevifolia) plant extract against CCl4-induced testicular damage in male albino rats. Forty-eight male albino rats were categorized into eight equal experimental groups i.e., control, vehicle control, CCl4 (1 ml/kg), CCl4 + silymarin, CCl4 + A. brevifolia (150 mg/kg), CCl4 + A. brevifolia (300 mg/kg), A. brevifolia (150 mg/kg) and A. brevifolia (300 mg/kg). After 56 days, blood and testicular samples were collected, and antioxidant enzyme activity, lipid peroxidation, hormonal concentration, daily sperm production (DSP), and histomorphometry were analyzed. The animals treated with the A. brevifolia extract exhibited a significant (p < 0.05) increase in the catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione reductase (GR) activity, and significant (p < 0.05) decrease in thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) level, potentially damaged by CCl4. Significant (p < 0.05) restoration in luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), testosterone concentrations, and DSP was observed in the A. brevifolia treated groups. Besides, CCl4 significantly (p < 0.05) dysregulated the lipid profile by increasing cholesterol, LDL, and triglycerides, while reducing HDL. The histopathological analysis evinced that CCl4 significantly (p < 0.05) damaged the testicular tissues. However, A. brevifolia treatment considerably abated the detrimental effects of CCl4 in rat testes. In conclusion, our results suggested the therapeutic role of A. brevifolia in oxidative stress-related disorders of testes.